Best Internet Service Provider in USA

The US is one of the places where you can expect high-speed internet connections without paying a lot. But how do you choose the best internet service provider in the USA? I can tell you one thing: getting the cheapest option in your area is not always good. Instead, you should do some research first.

In this detailed guide, I will share some insights on the best internet service providers in the USA.

Best Internet Service Providers in the USA

The best internet service providers (ISPs) in the USA include Xfinity, AT&T, Google Fiber, Verizon Fios, Spectrum, and T-Mobile. If you prioritize speed and performance, Google Fiber and AT&T are the best options. On the other hand, you can consider Xfinity and Verizon Fios as better picks for budget-friendly scenarios.

Our Methodology for Choosing the Best

Since I started working and moving around in the USA, I have had to use more than 10 ISPs for my work and home. However, I understand that a purely anecdotal method will not be fruitful in this article. Therefore, I have devised a method to consider the following aspects of each provider.

• Speed
• Coverage
• Connection Types
• Performance
• Pricing/Plans
• Customer Service
• Reliability

I first created a list of popular ISPs containing 25 brands. Then, they were compared against each other and were shortlisted into the ten options I have presented below. I have sub-categorized them so you can pick one that suits your priorities.

Fastest Internet Service Providers in the US

Let’s say you do not mind paying something extra every month but do not want to compromise speeds. If so, you should consider the fastest internet service provider in the USA. But promised speeds are useless if you do not have a reliable service, right? So, I have made sure that these fastest ISPs are great.

#1 Google Fiber

If available in your area, Google Fiber is the fastest ISP you can get in the USA. A product from Alphabet, Google Fiber uses cutting-edge fiber-optics technology to provide internet, TV, and other bundled services. Here’s a quick table of what Google Fiber offers:

#2 AT&T

Unlike Google Fiber, AT&T has found a balance between wide coverage and impressive speeds. So, if you need a high-speed internet connection alongside reasonable bundles, you should check out what AT&T offers.

Cheapest Internet Service Providers in the US

I completely understand if you do not want the best speed or uptime. If you want to compromise these aspects for some monetary savings, you should consider the cheapest internet service providers in the USA. Once again, despite being cheap, these ISPs are worth counting on.

#3 Comcast Xfinity

Comcast Xfinity is something I recommend whenever someone asks for a decent yet cheap ISP in their area. In most cases, Xfinity works because it uses Comcast’s existing infrastructure for wide availability. Thus, you can get a standard value from this ISP.

#4 Verizon Fios

Verizon Fios is another widely available yet cheaper ISP in the United States. You get benefits if you already use Verizon’s cellular service. Even otherwise, home internet plans from Verizon Fios are of great value to most people.

Before I talk more about this, I have to clarify something. Verizon Fios is in this position solely because of its bundled options. That is, the actual price of Verizon Fios is not the cheapest in town. However, when you bundle the home internet service with Verizon Mobile, you can save almost 50%.

So, I will discuss the price under the impression that you are ready for these bundles.

Best Satellite Internet Providers in the USA

If you live in an extremely rural area where cable/fiber internet connections are impossible, you can consider getting a satellite internet service. While it is true that the satellite internet industry is not that competitive, I needed some research to find the best satellite ISPs.

#5 Hughesnet

Hughesnet is one of the best options if your home does not have access to wired internet service. Instead, you can rely on the JUPITER 3 satellite to access the internet. The packages from Hughesnet are designed for multiple scenarios.

Other Best Value-for-Money ISPs in the USA

Now, I will talk about other internet service providers offering value-for-money services. These may not have the highest speeds or the lowest costs. However, they offer great service in areas where they have basic coverage.

#6 T-Mobile Home Internet

T-Mobile’s Home Internet is another good option that you can consider if you live in a rural area. If you can’t rely on cable internet, you can choose wireless internet plans from this internet service provider.

The company is known for its mobile services, and by relying on them, you can get 5G or 4G LTE networks to make a good connection. This service will use the Internet Lite plan to give you up to 300 GB of data per package. As far as speeds are concerned, you can choose between 72 Mbps and 245 Mbps at maximum.

Even though T-Mobile Home Internet does not offer the best speeds, you will appreciate its flexibility. Because it does not involve extensive wiring or cables, you can take this system away as you please. So, it is a good option for people who move around or live in RVs.

There are no issues with pricing or contracts either. You can choose between the prepaid or the postpaid options depending on how you want to pay. But, in my experience, moving around with these wireless systems can result in speed variation.

If you prioritize flexibility over speed, you can go with T-Mobile Home Internet.

#7 Cox Communications

Cox communication, also known as Cox Internet, is another great option that you may want to consider if you are into gaming or content streaming.

Even though the plans are somewhat budget-friendly, Cox Internet is known for using a hybrid between fiber and coaxial cables. You can also choose between security, automation, TV, and landline phone bundles.

Regarding availability, I have found that Cox Communications has a good footprint across the country. Depending on your requirements, you can choose between 100 Mbps and 2 Gbps, which can be useful for gamers.

The bigger problem with Cox Internet is the annoying data caps. These data caps become functional even as you use the most expensive plans. I also find availability concerning if you live in a state other than the 19 states covered by Cox.

If you are looking for the best speeds, you can get Cox Internet.

#8 Kinetic by Windstream

You should check out Kinetic by Windstream if you live in a rural area but need a fiber-based internet connection.

Considering that you can get the plans for as low as $39.99 per month, the internet plans from Kinetic are not the most expensive. For instance, even when you go for the 2-gigabit plan from the company, you only have to pay close to $100 per month.

This plan surprisingly offers up to 2 gigabits of upload and download speeds. It is also convenient to bundle other services, such as Dish TV or Voice, by paying an additional amount. Unlike other ISPs, Kinetic does not bother us with data caps or contracts.

In addition, you also get a hall home Wi-Fi setup when you purchase one of the fiber internet plans from the company. This option and the gateway rental are also included in the non-fiber internet plans. So, for a company that prioritizes speed, Kinetic is quite affordable.

It is a great option if you live in an area where Kinetic has coverage.

Types of Internet Service (Cable, Fiber, Satellite, DSL)

I will quickly talk about the popular internet service technologies in the United States.

Cable internet is the most common type of internet service available in the United States, and it uses coaxial cables to provide the internet connection to your home. The system consists of a modem which will convert the signals from the coaxial cable into digital signals that your devices can use.

Fiber internet connections, on the other hand, use fiber optic cables to transfer information from one point to another. Fiber cable connections are known for their higher speed and are becoming popular worldwide.

Satellite internet connections use communication satellites to relay information between your device and the ground station. So, as far as your device is concerned, it can access the internet without physical wires or extensive cable management.

DSL internet technology has become somewhat outdated and is being used only in rare instances. This is a novel technology that uses telephone cables for transferring information. It is the last resort if you can’t get any other options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

I have tried my best to help you understand the best Internet Service Providers in the United States.

While we stay united, not all these ISPs are available in all states. Therefore, you must check many factors like coverage and speed restrictions in your area.

For instance, I have always preferred Google Fiber for its no-hassle payment and top speeds. But, the lack of coverage has forced me to shift to other ISPs, especially while moving to rural areas. In those instances, I’d much prefer rural-optimized options like Kinetic or something like the Mobile Internet from T-Mobile.